Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has been granted bail of ₦30 million by a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, also directed Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The activist was told to surrender his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews as part of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been in custody at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre for over two weeks, arrived at the court premises around 9:45 a.m. on Friday. He was transported in a prison van under police escort and greeted a crowd of supporters as he alighted, raising his hands in appreciation.
The bail ruling comes after Farotimi pleaded not guilty to a 14-count charge brought against him by the police, which included allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, argued in a preliminary objection that the charges were not recognized under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, describing the defamation allegations as baseless.
Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent remand sparked widespread criticism, with prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and activist Omoyele Sowore, calling for his release. They accused the government of targeting dissenting voices.
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned his detention, describing it as a repression of dissent and demanding his unconditional release. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also criticized the arrest, labeling it illegal.
The case has drawn significant attention, with civil society organizations urging the judiciary to uphold fairness and justice in its proceedings.
